Mark Sykes M Bristol City b.1997

[Fixer82]

https://m.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/from-the-ormeau-road-to-the-aviva-mark-is-well-aware-of-those-stories-and-the-impact-that-the-conflict-had-on-his-own-family-41488680.html

Did anyone read this in yesterday's Independent? Absolutely incredible.

I have to buy an Indo subscription to read it so….no.

Great to see a West Belfast lad in the squad though

[Demesne Lad]

Bristol World reports that Sykes, whose contract at Oxford Utd expires this summer, has been watched recently by Nigel Pearson, and that Bristol City and Oxford Utd have been in contact.

[Olé Olé]

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63782423

Mark Sykes on his Ireland debut and why he didn't play for Ireland earlier.

Interesting use of the word "unfortunately" in here:
"I loved my time as part of the Northern Ireland set-up, I'd never say anything bad about it. I didn't play any senior games unfortunately but in a way that benefitted me as I was able to become a Republic of Ireland player."

[seanfhear]

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63782423

Mark Sykes on his Ireland debut and why he didn't play for Ireland earlier.

Interesting use of the word "unfortunately" in here:
"I loved my time as part of the Northern Ireland set-up, I'd never say anything bad about it. I didn't play any senior games unfortunately but in a way that benefitted me as I was able to become a Republic of Ireland player."
I don't think that Northern Ireland have that many great options that they could be ignoring a player of Mark Sykes ability.

[Eirambler]

Sounds like a bit of a token statement to try to pacify the nordies a bit to be honest. The reality was that as soon as they tried to cap him at senior level he got himself out of there asap. No idea why Conor Bradley didn't do the same, he's tied himself to a dead end international career now.

[Fixer82]

He's from West Belfast, speaks Irish, IS Irish. There's no way he would have rather played for the North than the South.

[passinginterest]

Another one in the goals today. Two so far. Good to see some squad players showing a bit of form!

[Olé Olé]

Another one in the goals today. Two so far. Good to see some squad players showing a bit of form!

Had he been playing right wing back but was midfield today? That does him no harm long term.

Hopefully he can continue blazing a trail for the likes of Sean Moore.

[pineapple stu]

Scores against Swansea in the FA Cup. Max O'Leary in nets for them, but Obafemi not in the squad as per usual and we need to hope the month ends with a transfer for him.

(BTW - thread title needs to be updated to show Sykes' move to Bristol City)

[Eirambler]

Hopefully he is left in his strongest position in midfield now.

[JR89]

Livescore and transfermarkt have him playing RW.

[SkStu]

The lad is on fire. Another goal for him.

[SkStu]

And another one.

[JR89]

On fire since moving to RW. Five goals and two assists in his last six games. Type of form that maybe we should consider a formation with wingers against Latvia.

Think we need a plan B for a possible in game switch for certain games and something with wingers should be considered.

[pineapple stu]

Good thing he got those five minutes in Malta to bring him into the national setup

[Olé Olé]

Good thing he got those five minutes in Malta to bring him into the national setup

What are you getting at here? Sure couldn't he be brought in for Latvia if he hadn't been in the last camp? And sure didn't he train with the squad there?

[Jd2793]

delighted we saw more of hendrick against malta and not someone like i dont know.... sykes or smallbone.

[pineapple stu]

What are you getting at here? Sure couldn't he be brought in for Latvia if he hadn't been in the last camp? And sure didn't he train with the squad there?
Just being sarcastic, as Jd spotted. Don't mind me!

[pineapple stu]

Fifth league goal of the season for Bristol City just now

[JR89]

Having a good game today bagging himself an assist and a goal to put Bristol 2-1 ahead. By all accounts Jason Knight is having a fine game himself.

[Trequartista20]

Extremely perplexing that he wasn't in the latest squad, but you can also say the same about Szmodics.

Such a versatile player, too. When you consider how short we are on the right hand side, given Coleman and Doherty's unavailability, you would have thought he'd have been a shoo-in.

Took a lot of courage to defect to Ireland, and copped a lot of flak. But it hasn't really reaped its rewards thus far.

[Olé Olé]

https://twitter.com/jbcfc__/status/1698040340077301863?t=oxPRW7sj7CeeU26A5Ve21A&s=19

Twitter highlights of his performance. Used the ball well, seems to have improved over last year or two in control and comfort on it and what struck me most were his turnovers high up the pitch.

https://www.otib.co.uk/index.php?/topic/221863-mark-sykes/

Bristol City fans love him and Knight gets praise too.

[SkStu]

Another goal for Mark Sykes in the first half to put Bristol 3-1 up. Assist from Jason Knight. They were both just subbed on 61 minutes. Job done...


Mark Sykes (Bristol City) right footed shot from the right side of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Jason Knight following a fast break.

[Olé Olé]

If we move 4-3-3 he becomes a real option.

Bazunu
Omobamidele/Coleman Collins Egan O'Shea
Knight Cullen Browne/Molumby/Smallbone
Sykes/Ogbene Ferguson Connolly/Robinson/Johnston

I feel like there are a lot of options there.

[JR89]

1704447613418807401

[SkStu]

Gives Bristol Cuty the lead against Boro. Third of the season for him. Supposed to be a beauty.


I said we saw the goal of the season earlier, but that won't be far away. What a volley.

Mark Sykes deserves that goal, he has played with more intensity than any other Bristol city player this afternoon.

[SkStu]

I think that’s his fifth goal of the season in today’s game away to Watford. A very decent haul so far. I do think he deserved more of a look from Kenny than he got. He’s always impressed when I’ve watched him. Pacy, good ball carrier, good finisher.

[Eirambler]

I agree. It's just a question of where you fit him in. He's not really an out and out winger, or a wing back. Probably should have at least had a few more run outs off the bench though, because he does have something to offer.

[SkStu]

Grabbed an assist out of nothing for Bristol to take the lead against Ipswich. Since then, its gone 2-2 and Ipswich just missed a peno.

[Stuttgart88]

Grabbed an assist out of nothing for Bristol to take the lead against Ipswich. Since then, it’s gone 2-2 and Ipswich just missed a peno.it was a brilliant improvised cross and equally brilliant header, but Sykes lost his man for Ipswich’s winner. O’Leary saved the late pen at 2-2 and looked sharp all night.

[liamoo11]

Watching Bristol City v Leeds Sykes doing nicely right wing back up against tough Leeds wingers. I'd like to see him in the aquad as a right wing or full back option.

Mcguane looks aggressive and tidy as well if he coukld get a dispensation to come back to us

[Demesne Lad]

For a few minutes (Sykes was subbed) there were 5 Ireland-eligible players on for Bristol City: O'Leary, McNally, Knight, Sykes and Armstrong. It must be a while since that happened in Premier League or Championship?

[Eirambler]

Wasn't there a match a few seasons ago where about 10 Irish players played in the game? I think it might have been in League 1 though, Lincoln v Portsmouth or something like that.

Sykes has lost his place at Bristol City recently to their new Japanese signing Hirakawa, so good to see him getting a start today.

[tetsujin1979]

There was eight on the pitch for Stoke v Bristol city midweek
Sykes
Moran
Armstrong
Knight
McNally
Stevens
Cannon
O'Leary
https://www.skysports.com/football/stoke-city-vs-bristol-city/509470

[Demesne Lad]

The Sky Sports report that Stoke have made a bid for Sykes has been picked up by Stoke on Trent Live. His season has been interrupted by a hamstring injury, but he has made 16 appearances for Bristol City, including five from the bench. He has been played as a wing-back in recent games, but probably prefers a more forward role. Stoke, having lost Tom Cannon to Sheffield Utd and Mannhoef to injury, need reinforcements up front and Jon Walters may have had a word.

[SkStu]

He scored for them today.

[Predator]

Ruled out for the rest of the season with a quad injury.
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